Another one of our local attractions had made a national top ten list. Previously, it was The Magic House in Kirkwood that rivaled Disneyworld in kid-friendly attractions, and now our Science Center has been deemed one of the nation’s best.

The Science Center released this statement today:  

The Saint Louis Science Center announced today it has been named one of the 10 Best Science Centers for Families by Parents, a national parenting magazine, ranking ahead of similar institutions in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia. The Science Center is fifth on the list.

“We are honored, not only to receive this distinction, but especially to be included in the top half of a very impressive list of our counterparts,” said Doug King, President and CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center.

This is the second major acknowledgment for the Science Center in a national publication. Recently, Forbes Traveler Magazine named the Science Center one of America’s most visited museums—the only museum in Missouri to be named to that list.

Parents narrowed its list from the more than 150 science centers in the United States. To determine which science centers are the most exciting and educational, Parents administered and analyzed an extensive survey, requesting details about exhibits as well as science demonstrations, special events, camps and classes. The magazine also considered the stroller-friendliness of the facility; dining options; the quality of the staff; conveniences like family restrooms; and whether the center was a good value based on the admission price in relation to the number of exhibits.

According to the Parents survey, the 10 Best Science Centers for Families in order of their ranking are:

1. Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, Ohio
2. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California
3. Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts
4. Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, New Jersey
5. Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri
6. New York Hall of Science, Flushing, New York
7. California Science Center, Los Angeles
8. Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
9. The Franklin (formerly The Franklin Institute), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore

Do you agree with the rankings?